Sri Lanka completed a 2-1 series win over Bangladesh after a comfortable 99-run victory in the third ODI on Tuesday, July 8, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a good score of 285/7, riding on a splendid hundred from Kusal Mendis (124 off 114). In reply, Bangladesh got bundled out for 186 in 39.4 overs, with Towhid Hridoy being the lone warrior with his innings of 51 off 78.
Asitha Fernando (3/33) and Dushmantha Chameera (3/51) picked three wickets each for the hosts while Dunith Wellalage (2/33) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/35) were also amongst the wickets in a clinical bowling display. Mendis was adjudged Player of the Match for his scintillating hundred and also took home the Player of the Series award for finishing as the leading run-scorer of the rubber with 225 runs from three innings.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Sri Lanka lost Nishan Madushka early in the innings, who was dismissed by Tanzim Hasan Sakib. After losing his partner, Pathum Nissanka (35 off 47) stabilised the innings with a 56-run stand with Kusal Mendis to keep the scoreboard moving.
However, he failed to complete his half-century, falling prey to Tanvir Islam, and Kamindu Mendis also departed cheaply to leave Sri Lanka on 100/3. Captain Charith Asalanka (58 off 68) walked in at number five and forged an outstanding 124-run stand with Kusal Mendis.
Mendis brought up his sixth ODI hundred off 95 balls while Asalanka got to his half-century off 60 balls. Courtesy of their massive stand, Sri Lanka posted a good total of 285/7 in their allotted 50 overs. In the second innings, Bangladesh’s chase never got going as they were reduced to 20/2 in 3.5 overs. Tanzid Hasan Tamim (17 off 13) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (0were ) were back in the pavilion.
Only Towhid Hridoy put up a fight but failed to get any support from the remaining batters. As a result, Sri Lanka completed a dominating win and registered their eighth successive ODI series victory.
